Book pouch

I've been planning on making some book bags for quite a while now as Miss 11 is an avid reader and rarely goes anywhere without a book of some kind. It always upsets her when one of her precious books gets knocked about in her school bag and a leaking drink bottle is a disaster! I attempted one version with a flap and magnetic clasp closure which proved way too difficult to sew together since I was using plastic on the outside.

I ended up using the "Snap Happy" bag pattern by Stitchin' Sisters and just adjusted the measurements to fit a good sized book. I also sewed across the bottom corners so that it would have a flat bottom and used a layer of plastic over the external fabric to protect it a bit more...... Miss 11 is delighted! I just need to get busy and make a couple more now... Such a great gift for any reader and I could use one myself too!

I just love how this pattern uses a piece of old metal tape measure to make the snap closure....very clever!

Until next time......

Ooops!

While at Cobar last weekend I bought some fabric that I thought would look nice made up into a top.... I had a specific pattern in mind, the only problem was I didn't have the pattern with me when I purchased the fabric so I guessed how much I would need.....Not. Very. Smart! I ended up having to cut it a little narrower to squeeze it out of the metre of fabric I bought, with the result that...It doesn't fit me! :(

Here it is modelled by my Miss 11.... It's quite roomy on her but you get the idea :

The pattern is "Amelia" shirt pattern by Frogslegs and Ponytails... and I can't find the name of the fabric (which I'm well and truly over now)

Jo was delighted when I gave it to her at work today.... and it fits her very nicely so I'm glad someone will be getting some wear out of it...lol

Until next time......

Club Quilt

After much organising on the home front I finally had the all-clear to join the Club Quilt ladies on a trip over to the lovely Cobar Quilt Shop yesterday..... and what a great day it was! The weather was fine, the company and food were great and the welcome we received was awesome. Colleen looked after us very well and we also had a chance to see the lovely Jellywares shop that was recently opened by Jodie who you might know from her blog also called Jellywares.... such a beautiful shop!

It was certainly well worth the two and a half hour drive for a spot of retail therapy and I think we all slept well last night after our big day.

Inside Cobar Quilt Shop:

Jodies Beautiful shop:

Thanks to Peg and Fiona for the pics.... as I didn't take any myself.

Until next time....

I have been sewing....really I have!

While it may seem like there hasn't been much sewing happening here at the moment.... I've actually been quite productive. I've recently signed up for three different swaps and have been busily working my way through them.... but can't share them with you until they've been recieved, since I don't want to spoil the surprise. The swaps I've joined are:

1) F.R.I.E.N.D.S swap hosted by Khris from Sew prim Khris.... and I've been lucky enough to have the lovely host herself as my partner. I'm having lots of fun getting to know Khris and working out what I'm sending for the seven items beginning with the letters in the word "FRIENDS".

2) 6 ITEMS XMAS SWAP hosted by Maree from On my Verandah.... I don't know who my partner will be for this one yet but the six items have to include the following:

• 
  
  Something to Read.
• 
  
  Something to Eat.
• 
  
  Something Smelly.
• 
  
  Something Handmade.
• 
  
  Something for the Craft Room.
• 
  
  A Xmas item...this can be Bought or Made.

3) SSCS 2010 hosted of course by Chookyblue.... I've just received my partner for this one a couple of days ago so have been busy checking out her blog to get a bit of an idea of what sort of things she likes... since this one is a secret swap I can't tell you who my partner is but I will be posting overseas for this one! I did this swap last year too and it was lots of fun. Chooky does an amazing job organising this swap every year and making sure everything goes smoothly.... thanks Chooky!

 As well as the swaps I'm working on, I've also been busy helping my friend Jo make a bridesmaid and a flowergirl dress for her sister's wedding in a couple of weeks time. See the beautiful fabrics I'm working with:

Hope you're all having a lovely weekend.... we're having beautiful spring weather here at the moment which is a pleasant change from all the rain we've been having lately.

Until next time....

Sunday Sewing!

I've been itching to make this cute little tiered pillow case dress ever since I spotted the tutorial over at "The Polka Dot Chair".... it's such a sweet little dress but unfortunately my own little girl has now outgrown this style...Sniff!  Luckily for me though, I have the cutest little niece who turned four today! Yay!

So yesterday afternoon I managed to squeeze in time to make this:

The fabric was from my stash and included some of my precious "Sandi Henderson Farmers market" as well as some "Sent with Love by Deb Strain" and some other bits and pieces.

Happy Birthday Miss Shannie....hope you like your pressie!

Hugs

Until next time........

Can you keep a secret?

I think I'm pretty safe showing you this before Father's Day tomorrow.... since I don't think hubby visits my blog and he gets to see first hand all the things I create. (It's hard enough for him to feign interest once without having to read all about it as well...lol). Anyway I came across this idea for a Father's day pressie at Tamar's blog "A Collection of thoughts" or you could go directly to Tamars source "Alphamom" where you can also download the labels for free! I don't know about you but I find Dad's are just so hard to buy for..... I mean, what more could they want...they have US!

This one I put together for my Dad.... love my Dad!

One for my favourite Father-in-law.... love him too!

And one for hubby....that I helped the kids put together:

So now we're all set.......and they're really quick and easy to do so if you've left your run a bit late in organising something you still have time to throw one of these together!

Until next time......

Weekend in Pictures!

As I mentioned in my last post we've not long returned from a great weekend with friends staying at the beautiful Mt Tenandra Homestead which is an original pastoral settlement and a Cobb and Co stop with the old cloak room and bath house still standing.

After seeing the pictures Paula was taking over the weekend I didn't bother taking too many myself and she has been kind enough to share them with me.... hope it inspires you to take a visit if you're nearby:

Well worth the visit!

Until next time......